Community Labyrinth Walks
Summer Solstice
The Summer Solstice is Wednesday, June 21, 2023. You are invited to walk the outdoor Labyrinth between 6 and 7 p.m.
There will be a Drum Circle from 7 to 8 p.m. Bring your drums, rattles, and other instruments to celebrate Summer. If you don't have an instrument, some will be available here. Be sure to bring a chair or blanket to sit on if you are staying for the Drum Circle.
Love offerings are gratefully accepted.
Photos by Jan Casey-Liber.
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Community Labyrinth walks are held on the Equinox or Solstice. Please stop back closer to the date for additional information.
The Autumn Equinox is Saturday, September 23, 2023. The Community Labyrinth Walk is between 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
The Winter Solstice is Thursday, December 21, 2023. The Community Labyrinth Walk is between 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
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Our Labyrinth
Our Labyrinth is always open and open to all! (Deer photo by Jan Casey-Liber.)
At 90 feet in diameter, Unity Spiritual Center's outdoor labyrinth is the largest in Ohio.
Unity's labyrinth is based on the design of the world-famous labyrinth at the Chartres Cathedral in France.
The outdoor labyrinth is behind Unity Hall on the campus of Unity Spiritual Center. Unity welcomes people of all faiths to perform this walking meditation at their convenience.
The labyrinth is not a maze. There are no tricks or dead ends. Instead, it has a single circuitous path that winds into the center. You use the same path to return; the entrance becomes the exit. The path is in full view, which allows you to be quiet and focused internally.
Generally, there are three stages to the walk: releasing on the way in, receiving in the center, and returning or taking back out to the world you received.
The labyrinth is an ancient pattern found in many cultures around the world. Labyrinth designs have been found on pottery, tablets, and tiles dating back 4,000 years.
The labyrinth is a tool to guide healing, deepen self-knowledge, and empower creativity. Walking the labyrinth clears the mind and gives insight into the spiritual journey. It urges action. It calms people in the throes of life transitions. It helps them see their lives in the context of a path, a pilgrimage. It helps to stir the creative fires within. To those in deep sorrow, the walk gives solace and peace.
Each of us has a different experience as we bring our unique hopes, dreams, history, and the longings of the soul. It is truly a sacred place, an active prayer.
Guidelines to Walking a Labyrinth
1. At the entrance, pause a moment to clear your mind.
2. Become aware of your breath.
3. Walk in silence, at a pace that feels natural, following the outlined path.
4. You may pass people or let others step around you.
5. At the center, stay as long as you like. Reflect on God, pray or meditate.
6. As you leave the center, follow the same path in reverse.
7. Upon exiting the labyrinth, turn and offer a nod or bow to honor your experience.
Ways to Use the Labyrinth
Consider the labyrinth a walking prayer or meditation. Feel free to do what is comfortable and to experiment. Here are some suggestions:
In silent reflection, open to receiving peace or guidance.
Walking with your spirit guides, angels, Jesus, Mother Mary, etc.
Contemplating a problem, joy, dream, or question in your life.
Meditating on a particular verse of scripture, prayer, or affirmation.
Repeating a meaningful phrase or word.
Calling others to mind in forgiveness, healing, or love.
As a joyful act of Thanksgiving and praise.